UNC basketball 2025-26 player preview: Jonathan Powell
The North Carolina Tar Heels are just one week away from live game action, when they travel to Utah for an October 24 matchup with BYU.
You'll see plenty of fresh faces when UNC takes the court, thanks to a complete, offseason roster transformation led by head coach Hubert Davis. One of those new guys is West Virginia transfer Jonathan Powell , a 6'6" sophomore guard/forward expected to make an immediate impact in Chapel Hill
Though the Mountaineers continued struggling in the post-Bob Huggins era, Powell proved himself as a key cog in Morgantown. Powell started 23 of WVU's 32 contests, averaging 8.3 points and 3.1 rebounds in 30.1 minutes per game.
With his height, Powell gives North Carolina a Swiss Army Knife-type player that every coach covets, similar to what current Brooklyn Net Drake Powell (no relation) gave the Tar Heels during their 2024-2025 campaign. Powell can play shooting guard, slot in at wing and take power forward duties in small lineups.
Looking at UNC's roster, Powell will likely compete Seth Trimble for minutes at the two – and Luka Bogavac for time at the wing. North Carolina has 11 new players, meaning Hubert will likely experiment with his rotations early in the season. Powell may even start a game or two.
Regardless of where Powell fits in the Tar Heels' plans, he also brings much-needed positional size to the court , something Hubert raved about during ACC Tipoff.
While you plan your fall and winter full of which days/nights to watch UNC games, make sure you read over Powell's player preview for the upcoming season.
Jonathan Powell Bio
Height: 6-foot-6
Weight: 190 pounds
Number: 11
Hometown: Centerville, Ohio
High School: Centerville
2024-2025 review
West Virginia appeared on track to make the NCAA Tournament after a one year absence. The Mountaineers upset four ranked teams – Gonzaga (third), Arizona (24th), Kansas (seventh) and Iowa State (second) – but struggled once their season turned over to solely Big 12 play.
Powell was part of a deep scoring attack for WVU, averaging 8.3 points in his freshman season, making him one of five Mountaineers to reach eight points per game. Powell added 3.1 rebounds per game, shot 37.8 percent from the field and 48% from the free throw line.
Projected role for 2025-2026
Powell will split time at small forward with Bogavac – and find himself in a deep guard rotation with Trimble, Kyan Evans, Derek Dixon and Isaiah Denis. Powell will play his most early in the season – while Hubert is still trying to discover his most-productive lineups.
Jonathan Powell Scouting Report
The scouting report for Jonathan Powell, via InsideCarolina analyst Sherrell McMillan:
"He's known for his ability to shoot," McMillan wrote. "He's an old-school Roy Williams wing. He's tall. He can shoot. He can cut. He can dunk if he needs to. The challenge for Powell at UNC is he'll have to rebound some, too. He's going to have to be a little more active. He really bought into what Hubert Davis and Jim Tanner were telling him. It's a solid signing for UNC. He's a player from another power conference who's still burgeoning. He can be a better player."
Jonathan Powell bold prediction
Powell will cement himself as UNC's sixth man, making him the first player Hubert calls on off the bench.
You can make the case for Powell starting over Bogavac, but the latter is 22 years old and carries multiple seasons of international, professional experience with him.
This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: UNC basketball: Jonathan Powell season preview
